Adrian Peterson set his goal this season at 2,500 rushing yards. After a dismal season-opening loss to the 49ers, where Peterson carried the ball just 10 times for a measly 31 yards, the former NFL MVP only needs to average about 165 yards per game the rest of the season to set his goal.
After a slow start during last night's game, Adrian Peterson will need to average 164.6 yards per game to reach 2,500 by season's end.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) September 15, 2015
As “embarrassing” as the loss and offensive performance was, he told USA Today’s Tom Pelissero that he plans on redeeming himself this week when the Vikings host the Lions at TCF Bank Stadium.
“Just redemption,” he said. “You’ve got to come back better than you (were) before.”
“Thank God it’s Week 1 and it’s only one game,” Peterson added. “We have a divisional game coming up Sunday. We need to come out and take care of business.”
"Just being out there offensively, it's like this is not us." @AdrianPeterson
WATCH: http://t.co/y0tIRqv1O0 pic.twitter.com/TPUsGzU07a
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2015
Shotgun to blame?
Peterson didn’t play last season so he wasn’t accustomed to running out of the shotgun. It’s a style the Vikings used 65 percent of the time from Weeks 4-through-17 last season with Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon under the direction of offensive coordinator Norv Turner, Deadspin reports.
It’s a formation better suited for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s game, but not exactly the style Peterson is used to.
“But I felt a little hesitant a couple of times, [taking handoffs] out of the shotgun,” Peterson said, via the Star Tribune.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer thought Peterson’s lack of production was mostly due to poor blocking in front of him. Minnesota is playing without starting center John Sullivan (back surgery) and right tackle Phil Loadholt (torn achilles), so the patchwork offensive line will be something to watch going forward.
Adrian Peterson fantasy owners pic.twitter.com/g1PgxGHkxR
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 15, 2015
